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News Article  
McAllister boasts big bids
By Karin Milliman

EAGLE, Mich. — Announcing with humor that the “auction will be over in three hours and forty-two minutes, give or take a few minutes,” is how Mike McAllister began a recent auction; with that announcement, the auction kicked off at a fast pace. With some very choice and specialized pieces being sold, this auction had promise and many potential buyers.

A group of 87 Louis L&rsquop;Amour books attracted interest to start the auction off; the leather-bound set from 1984 was in mint condition and two bidders brought the bid to sale at $165.

The estate that most of these sale items came out of belonged to a gentleman who had spent years restoring vintage communication devices. In his basement by his workbench, he had fastened a phone marked Western Electric. This phone was on an extension so it could be brought out from the wall, scissor fashion, when it was needed. With no breaks in the Bakelite, this interesting piece of history sold for $85.

Sticking with the communication items, an Ace shortwave radio sold for $30. A Transoceanic radio with a crown emblem on the front of the speaker brought a bid of $45. This was one of three Zenith pieces which were quickly sold to a bidder who didn&rsquop;t hesitate to take all of the radios which had been offered at choice out.

An International time recorder time clock drew its fair share of interest. It came complete with the metal rack to store the time cards. An employee would push down on the brass handle after the time card was inserted and he was “punched in” and ready for a days work. This piece sold for $175.

A Seth Thomas 31-day calendar clock needed some tender loving care. With the original pendulum and key still with it, this clock brought a bid of $35.

A couple of furniture pieces attracted interest. Several potential buyers spent time checking out the old mail sorting cupboard. The original brass plates were all still intact on the front of this cupboard; it took a high bid of $190 to get the honor of figuring out how to get this large piece home.

A separate post office sorter stood on legs and had a desktop to work on while sorting the mail. With 60 slots to use, this one came with extra metal brackets so it could be divided further. It was in nice condition and brought a final bid price of $145.

Sticking with the furniture prices, a small green shabby chic cabinet sold for $60. A mahogany game table from the 1880&rsquop;s time period was sold for only $30. It had claw feet and was in great condition.

A pine kitchen cupboard with original wavy glass in the doors on the top sold for $75.

A Duncan Phyfe end table showing obvious signs of use with a piece of glass fitted to the top sold for $18.

An old dress form which had been used for fitting ladies&rsquop; dresses drummed up some interest.

With the bidders commenting that it could be used to display some nice vintage dresses for an antique booth, this dress form was sold for $65.

There was one piece of pottery that surprised some bidders with what it took to be the top bidder. It was a Pewabic blue pottery vase stamped on the bottom. Artist Mary Chase Perry was an artist from the early 1900s and loved to make simple pieces using iridescent glazes. This simple blue vase was one of those pieces. It brought a high bid of $150.

A fairly new piece on display during the first part of the auction was a John Deere cart. This store display was an unusual piece since it was never offered for public sale. During the 1970s, a dealer could get just two of these carts for display in their stores. This particular one actually came with the original box it had been shipped in and saw final sale price of $170.

A Remington print from the 1950s that had been framed sold for $65. A Havana ribbon cigar paper sign also brought the same bid.

A unique blanket chest – also known as an immigrants&rsquop; trunk — that still had the candle box inside sold for the bid price of $140.

An airplane toy made by Keystone with original tires sold for $125.

This annual antique auction took place at the Eagle Park reception hall. All sales at this auction had a 13 percent buyer&rsquop;s premium added to the final bid price. McAllister Auctions may be reached at (517) 881-8132 or by email at mmcall1872@aol.com.

1/19/2018